Bug Spray Review

Capsicum Success! I made a batch of the hot pepper spray and have good news for us organic type gardeners.

The capsicum spray worked wonders for the bluelake bush and garden beans coming up. It also appears to have some effect on hollyhock weevils. It was pretty effortless to make – I took 8 cayenne peppers, put them in 1/2 C vegetable oil – allowed this to sit for 1 week. Strain the pepper from the oil, dilute by 3 parts water to 1 part oil and put in your labeled sprayer. This will go quite a long way. Between Della @ Willard Bay gardens and some recent experience – learned a key element in using organic sprays: Spray at dusk!!

Two major reasons:
#1 – 80% of munchers do so at night, so the concentration will be strongest just before they expect dinner!
#2 – Spraying at dusk also avoids the problem of sun magnification. When you spray an oil based spray it clings to the leaves with water droplets and can be magnified by the sun causing burn spots that can lead to reduced intake by the leaves. Spaying at dusk allows the spray to distribute and disperse more evenly then during the day.

As common sense would dictate –
Always Label your sprays clearly – a spray of red pepper spray in the face is an unpleasant surprise!
Keep your garden chemicals and sprays out of the reach of children and away from curious pets
Use a piece of cardboard or other “shield” if you have to spray while the wind is blowing – better to wait for evening calm anyway!